LAS CRUCES - San Jose State deserved the Western Athletic Conference regular-season championship.

The Spartans, who had to sweep their final home series against New Mexico State to be crowned WAC regular-season champions, did just that, and earned a No. 1 seed in this week's WAC Tournament in Ruston, La. for their efforts.

"It had been in the regular season that us and San Jose had stepped out ahead of the league," said NMSU head coach Kathy Rodolph, whose club sits at 35-18 overall, 16-5 in WAC play. "I would like the opportunity to play them on a neutral site and see what happens."

All three games at San Jose State were close, as NMSU lost the first two contests by one run each.

NMSU returns to the WAC Tournament after missing last year's event, which was played in Las Cruces.

"Losing three games last week with a conference title on the line was upsetting, but you have to keep moving forward," Olive said. "Everyone is excited about this week."

The Aggies open tournament play Thursday against No. 3 Louisiana Tech, which beat No. 6 Texas-Arlington 1-0 in the WAC's opening round Wednesday evening. The contest will be played on Louisiana Tech's homefield at 1 p.m., and can be heard on radio at KSNM-AM 570.

"Louisiana Tech is going to be difficult to beat on their home field," Rodolph said. "I like that as a Top-2 seed, we are able to scout and see how these teams are playing right now.

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The Aggies haven't played Louisiana Tech since the first week of WAC play in March. NMSU swept Arlington at home in early April.

Rodolph said NMSU is leaning on the experience of Olive and the other returners who played on NMSU's 2011 WAC championship team.

"You always have to have your best stuff in the tournament," Olive said. "You aren't facing a team three times, so you have to play your best game."

Jason Groves can be reached at (575) 541-5459. Follow him on Twitter @jpgroves

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